Brendan Teer , who has been in scintillating form in recent weeks, didn't run in Portaferry on Tuesday night or Newcastle on Friday night or indeed Dervock on Saturday but still ended the week the biggest winner of all. His prize? New daughter Sophie who made her debut on Saturday and there won't be happier Gold Medallists at the Olympics than Brendan and Gina. Congratulations and Best Wishes to all of them, including little Aodhan, who now becomes the Big Brother.
PORTAFERRY GALA 10 MILES
Back to Tuesday night though and the Portaferry Gala 10 Mile Road Race and Relay which saw a much reduced field from recent years as the weather, economy and glut of fixtures took their toll. It's doubtful if even Brendan could have lived with eventual winner Paul Pollock, now back permanently in NI and ready to take on all comers in what could be a defining season for him. Formerly with Abbey AC and now in the Annadale stable, he has not been seen much on these shores in the past 2 years. Now that his medical studies are over he has the potential to make a significant mark on the running scene here and will no doubt be keen to replicate his impressive victory in the Bangor Classic in September. His time of 50.52 was certainly the best over the distance in the current revival of the race. Second man home, and almost 6 minutes behind was St Malachy's Stephen Rooney with Nat Glenn 57.42 from Larne AC impressive in 3rd.
In 4th place overall and by far the first Lady home was Breege Connolly, 58.14, North Belfast, knocking almost 90 seconds off her last year's winning time with North Down's Julie Balmer 64.35 in second and Lisa Sturgeon 66.08 in 3rd.
Murlough's Donna McCusker, 73.07, took the Over 35 prize and Anne Sandford, 73.19 Lagan Valley retained her Over 45 title.
EAST DOWN PERFORMANCES
First of the East Down contingent to finish was Barrie Atkinson, an impressive 63.01, overall 8th place and first Over 35 Male. Phillip Vint celebrated his return to the racing scene with a very accomplished 66.17 just 9 seconds ahead of the improving Francis Tumelty. With Francis safely in we waited on his “shadow” Michael McKeown – and waited – and waited – and waited. Had he dropped out, had he started, had he finished undetected by our razor sharp eyes? The answer was eventually provided by the man himself as he strolled across the line in 75.59. “Just taking it easy as I pulled a hamstring at the weekend” he said. Of course we all know the perfect treatment for pulled hamstrings is to run 10 miles over a hilly course! But an impressive time in the circumstances – I can't wait to pull mine for a time like that! Raymond Milligan fought out a tremendous with Robin Wilson, going down by less than a second in a new PB of 72.19, with Stephen McCartan back in great shape just behind in 72.36. Gavin Oakes carried the next yellow sash through in 73.32 while Tracey McDowell arned the performance of the night award with a very assured 75.27. Make no mistake this young lady can make a serious impression in the Ladies' competitions if she continues to raise her game like this. Denis McKay too knocked another chunk off his previous best and recorded 78.13 with Kim Surginor limping home very fast in 82.48 – Welcome back Kim. Richard Gill 83.41, another to impress as he carved over 8 minutes off his 2011 time.
Paul Rogan, Lisa Milligan, Oonagh Breteche and Helen Vint all finished within 2 minutes of each other with Linda Cunningham a further 2 minutes back and Michael Degan and Mags Flynn completing the 10 mile finishers from the Club across the Lough. But Cathy Degan and Cheryl Denvir 89.35 and husband and wife duo Eithne and Simon McGrattan enjoyed a night out together
as they completed the Relay in 98.42.
BRIAN DOWNING MEMORIAL
The following night Neil McCartan ran an impressive 2.03 in the 800 metres track race at Antrim Forum,at the Brian Downing Memorial meet, setting a new PB and looking strong over both laps. Much more to come from him too.
SEA 2 SKY 10K
On to Friday night and the first Sea 2 Sky 10K Race and Walk in Newcastle. On a glorious evening Newcastle has never looked so good for those who took the time to savour the view from the lower slopes of Slieve Donard before disappearing into Tipperary Woods and to the finish at the end of South Promenade. Linda Cunningham was the sole representative in the Run and thoroughly enjoyed the multi-terrain experience, posting an incredible 57.05 in the process. A very well organised event and an exciting addition to the local running scene, Well Done to all concerned.
DERVOCK
Come Saturday and the venue was Dervock for the Ken McArthur Memorial group of races comprising Marathon, Half marathon and 10K. And once again East Down had representatives in 2 of the 3 events, Francis Tumelty posting a very creditable 1.29 in the Half, where Michael McKeown, well loosened up from Portaferry went easy on the hamstrings opting for the shorter Half and clocked 1.35. In the 10 K Carmel Tumelty recorded an encouraging 57.23 while Matthew added the icing to the family cake by taking 2nd Male Junior prize in 47.49.
OLYMPIC TORCH
And after this weekend of sporting excellence and the exciting prospect of Olympics to follow comes the news that the Olympic Torch, so revered and iconic as a symbol of perfection, which reached the heights on Sunday atop the London Eye, is to be carried through “Walford” by an “actor” in a scene from Eastenders, a fictional soap opera of mind numbing mediocrity and depression. Talk about the 2 extremes. Do you ever think that the entire world has lost its collective marbles? Who sanctions such acts of madness? President Obama will be appearing on the Simpsons next!
SILVER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
A call has gone out to everyone who has ever been a member of East Down AC or indeed had any connection with it whether as parent, volunteer helper or supporter to get in touch if you're interested in attending the Club's 25th Anniversary Dinner on 29 September in La Mon House Hotel.
Tickets are £30 each and the people to contact are Helen Vint (07748655956), Betty McCartan (07866865989), Deirdre Mount (07756857314) or James Magennis (07752320350). A great night is in store for anyone who has been involved with the club over this past quarter of a century.
Joe Quinn
23 July 2012
